All of the celebrities who have gone into politics
The idea of trading in a life of stardom, glitz and glamour for the serious world of politics may sounds ridiculous.
However, these celebrities are proving that fame and fortune can also be found in affairs of state.
Read on to see all the A-listers who threw their hat in the ring and entered the political field.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a prolific politician throughout the early 2000s, with his interest in the industry beginning in the '90s.
He was sworn in as Californian Governor on this date in 2003, but how did he get there?
The actor had a bachelor's degree in Business and International Economics from the University of Wisconsin and two honorary doctorates by the time he decided to advocate for the U.S. Republican party.
Schwarzenegger was sworn in as the 38th Governor of California when Gray Davis was recalled in 2003.
The actor focused on reducing California's greenhouse gas emissions, updating the workers' compensation system and increasing the minimum wage.
He stayed as governor until 2011. Most recently, he endorsed Kamala Harris in the U.S. election.
Peter Garrett
Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil made a bold career change from being one of Australia's most prominent musicians to working in politics.
The singer started working in the industry as a part of the Nuclear Disarmament Party in December 1984.
He was invited to stand for a NSW seat in the Australian Senate at the federal election.
In June 2004, Labor Leader Mark Latham announced that Garrett would become an Australian Labor Party candidate for the House of Representatives; he was successfully elected.
Garrett was later appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts. He campaigned for Labor in the 2006 Victorian state election.
That same year, Kevin Rudd invited Garrett to join his Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
By 2007, he became the cabinet's Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
His political career was going well, and in 2010, he was appointed the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.
When Julia Gillard was defeated by Rudd, Garrett announced his resignation as Education Minister. Later, he shared that he would not seek re-election and ended his political career.
Kanye West
Kanye West's music has long been political.
Still, he didn't join the political industry until 2020, when he announced that he was running for the U.S. presidential election.
The campaign was contradictory at times, but ultimately advocated for the arts and environmental stewardship and religion.
West qualified for ballot access in 12 states, though missed out on the remaining states.
West conceded his campaign the morning after Election Day having won roughly 70,000 votes.
Stacey Dash
Clueless star Stacey Dash was an actress turned conservative political commentator who ran for a congressional seat in Southern California in 2018.
The former actress wanted to run as a Republican in California's 44th District, a seat held by Democrat Nanette Barragan, though it didn't last long.
"After much prayer, introspection and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy for California's 44th Congressional District," Dash said in an email statement to CNN.
Katie Price
Glamour model Katie Price made the unexpected decision to run for a seat in the U.K.'s Stretford and Urmston during the 2001 general election.
The celebrity promised to create "a bigger and betta (sic) future," with free plastic surgery and tax cuts for anyone who'd had an affair with a footballer.
Price lost after only receiving 1.8 per cent of the vote, subsequently ending her political career.
Ronald Reagan
Before becoming the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989, Reagan had various jobs in the entertainment industry.
He began working as a radio announcer before becoming a well-known film actor.
Reagan starred in Law and Order, Bedtime for Bonzo and Kings Row.
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple's career took an unexpected turn from child star to politician and ambassador.
The A-lister filmed her last movie in 1938 and began her diplomatic career in 1969.
Temple worked in the U.S. Mission and was later named U.S. ambassador to Ghana, serving as the first female U.S. Chief of Protocol.
In 1984, she was the President of the Commonwealth Club of California while serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.
Donald Trump
Before Donald Trump became the President of the United States for two non-consecutive terms, he was a businessman and celebrity.
Throughout his career, he has worked in real estate, hotels, casinos and even hosted a reality television series, The Apprentice.
Trump ran for and won the 2016 presidential election as the Republican Party nominee.
He lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden before reclaiming victory this year.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood had one of Hollywood's most legendary film careers, but he still wanted a change.
The actor became the nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, in April 1986, and in 2001, he was appointed to the California State Park and Recreation Commission.
In 1999, he told Premiere magazine that: "I guess I was a social liberal and a fiscal conservative before it became fashionable."
